The first gameweek of the Premier League season has come to a close, and what an eventful start to the season it was. Goals galore and a few early upsets to welcome us back to the madness which is Premier League football. Let’s take a look at the best performing players from opening week.
Goalkeeper – Konstantinos Tzolakis – Rating: 8.5
Hull kicked off their return to the Premier League with a shock 2-0 win over Manchester United. Tzolakis played a major role in this huge win and was key in keeping the clean sheet. The Greek keeper made 5 saves and was commanding in his box, coming out to collect 4 crosses. A great start to his Premier League career and the type of performance that will need to happen often to keep Hull in the top flight.
Left Back – Riccardo Calafiori – Rating: 8.0
Calafiori helped Arsenal shut out Coventry in a routine 3-0 win for the Gunners. The Italian left back was solid defensively as usual and dangerous overlapping on that left side. Calafiori assisted the opening goal for Havertz, with a lovely floated ball into the box.
Center Back – Nobel Mendy – Rating: 8.5
The first of two Hull City center backs to make the team of the week. It’s no surprise that Mendy makes the team after getting on the score sheet and helping his side to a clean sheet. Mendy made an impressive 12 clearances and only committed one foul. A great start to life at Hull for Mendy, who only transferred this summer to the Tigers from Rayo Vallecano.
Center Back – Semi Ajayi – Rating: 8.5
Ajayi partnered Mendy in their historic 2-0 win against Man United. Ajayi got in on the goal-scoring action just like his center back partner Mendy. The Nigerian put the Tigers 1-0 up within the first 20 minutes, as a ball landed to him in acres of space in the box for him to volley home. Ajayi was solid at the back, making 2 interceptions and winning all his aerial duels.
Right Back – Michael Kayode – Rating: 8.5
Kayode was a key part of Brentford’s shock 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Gtech Stadium. Not a shock in terms of the scoreline, but more so in the ease at which Brentford cut through Spurs. Kayode was relentless, bombing up and down the right flank. The Italian’s trademark long throws caused issues for Spurs, and he was in the right place to score Brentford’s third.
Midfielder – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Rating: 8.0
Dewsbury-Hall was a standout in his first season for the Toffees last campaign, and it looks like he is set for another impressive year. The English midfielder scored Everton’s first goal to put them 1-0 up just before half-time, ending a five-year drought for an opening-day win. A brilliant left-footed strike into the side netting from an acute angle. The Everton man also made 2 key passes during the game.
Midfielder – Mamadou Sangaré – Rating: 9.0
Although Tottenham gave Brentford’s midfield the freedom of the park, Sangaré was head and shoulders above all the midfield players on the pitch. The new Brentford man assisted the first goal after starting the move with a lovely one-two. He made an impressive seven recoveries and threaded two key passes. A great start to Premier League life for Sangare.
Attacking Midfielder – Jack Hinshelwood – Rating: 9.0
The ever-versatile Jack Hinshelwood, able to play a deeper role in midfield, even at full back, was electric in an attacking midfield role this weekend. Brighton were 4-0 up in the first 31 minutes against Aston Villa, with Hinshelwood scoring the third and fourth. Both his goals came only one minute apart. Defensively, the Englishman won 5/5 of his ground duels and won his only aerial duel. An impressive all-round performance.
Left Wing – Christos Tzolis – Rating: 8.5
Tzolis showed exactly why he was the player of the year in Belgium last season. The Greek international looked at home in the Premier League. Every time he got the ball, he looked to drive at the Coventry defense and create chances. He was unlucky not to be given an assist for the Saka goal due to the ball being parried by the goalkeeper on its way to the back stick. Either way, it was an electric start to his Arsenal career in the top flight.
Right Wing – Cole Palmer – Rating 9.0
Cole Palmer is back! The Chelsea man was a joy to watch every time he got the ball, weaving in and out of Fulham players at ease. Palmer grabbed an assist for João Pedro in the first minute, before getting on the score sheet himself, nutmegging Leno for the winner. Palmer made a staggering 5 successful dribbles and 3 key passes.
Center Forward – João Pedro – Rating 8.5
João Pedro kicked off his season with the quickest goal of the weekend, scoring only 30 seconds into the game at Craven Cottage. The Brazilian striker then turned creator, assisting Cole Palmer with a lovely weighted ball in behind. Pedro changed shirt numbers over the summer, going from number 20 to number nine. A historically cursed number for Chelsea center forwards. The Brazilian looks like he may be lifting that supposed curse.
